Forty-eight hours in Lyon

A gastronomic adventure in this French culinary hotspot 

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Lyon

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France has a bit of something for everyone. Good wine, exquisite cuisine and cultural influence that can leave travellers in awe. So many beautiful places await expats arriving in this European gem - the magical fields of Tuscany, the stunning vineyards of Côte d'Azur and the life-bound-by-sea in the French Riviera.

 

We arrived in the country by train. Although we were tempted by the irresistible romantic charm of Paris, this spring we opted out for a Lyon visit. We had little expectations and the city was full of surprises.

 

Typically world-renown for the culinary scene, this French spot is perfect for those who seek to taste their way through Europe. The streets were buzzing with life. People from all over were walking around exploring the sights, couples holding hands on their way to the local bars, groups of friends celebrating together over a good meal under the starry sky. Wherever we turned, life was at its fullest.

 

We wanted to experience the food most of all and so we headed out on a quest to taste the famous potatoes that tempt travellers like ourselves. We didn't expect the nightlife to be so good and we decided to chance it so we just wandered around the cobbled streets and decided to pick a restaurant on the go. At first we didn't have much luck. Most restaurants need you to book a table in advance regardless of whether you end up going in high season or if you plan your visit off season. Our luck quickly turned around when the hostess of a busy restaurant, which caught out eyes, informed us that a group of people didn't show up for their reservation. Just like that we were seated and welcomed by the team of writers, most of whom seemed to have worked there for most of their life and spoke little English. It seemed to be a family-founded business and the service was a combination of warmth and professionalism.

 

We quickly scanned the handwritten menu but the little French we knew wasn't much help. The man who served us was kind enough to assist and insisted that the potatoes we wanted to try had to shared and then each one of us had to pick a main meaty course. We couldn't refuse. Lyon is known for the attention to detail when it came to food. The city, whether you were an experienced foodie or simply a lover of a good homecooked meal, was a gastronomy paradise. Our food arrived quickly and it was steaming hot - a clue to the fact that the chefs were busy in the kitchen and prepared everything fresh to order. I looked around. The tables were situated so closely together that it felt as if we were sharing a meal with a bunch of strangers, all of us sat together in this small restaurant on the side of the street. People's conversations and laughter filled the air. Languages from all religions intertwined together and the atmosphere was so cozy.

 

Outside the city was getting busier as the sun starred giving way to the nightfall. The bars were getting crowded. Thousands of twinkling lights were hanging in the trees. The street art was intriguing travellers to keep walking around without a set plan or direction.

 

We stopped at a bar to grab a drink and enjoy the evening. There were not many places to sit at as the dining tables and the tall bar spaces were already occupied. People were even sitting on the side of the sidewalks, smoking cigarettes and drinking red wine from small glasses in a typical French fashion. It was a beautiful thing to see.

 

In the morning we headed out on a coffee-bound expedition. There were too many independent coffee shops to chose from, but we were determined to make a stop at as many as we could. The buildings were small, yet charming. People were having breakfast and drinking coffee, the baristas smiled at everyone and chatted to us about the origin of the coffee beans. There was so much energy in the air. The smell of butter led us to a tiny corner shop where the tarte à la praliné, the croissants and the pink praline brioches were getting wrapped up carefully by skillful artisans who made each pastry rival to an art experience.

 

We walked around and soaked up the beautify of the place. The architecture was astonishing and we wanted to see as much as we could in the time we had left. In the afternoon we had to head back to the train station - time slipped away so quickly. Lyon charmed us with its sensational wine, incredible food and the electric pace of living. Lyon truly is a place for the young to live life to the fullest.